Assessing Driver Distraction due to In-Vehicle Video Systems Through Field Testing

Existing and emerging in-vehicle technologies — entertainment systems, communications systems, and intelligent transportation systems — have made travel hours more productive and entertaining, forever transforming the way drivers interact with the vehicle. This study used TTI’s instrumented vehicle to examine driver distraction due to
in-vehicle video systems. The vehicle contained cameras to monitor driver performance; an eye-tracking system; accelerometers; and sensors for brake, throttle, and steering; and used advanced image-processing software to determine lane position. The project compared driving performance with and without an entertainment video screen present on a closed-course track.